Royal Thunder
Crooked Doors


4.0
excellent

Review

by Robert Davis USER (306 Reviews)
April 14th, 2015 | 38 replies


Release Date: 2015 | Tracklist

Review Summary: One of 2015's finer rock/metal releases, "Crooked Doors" will engage those who find the time to listen to it.

Back in 2012, Royal Thunder exploded onto the rock/metal scene with their excellent, unforgettable debut record CVI. The debut struck great first impressions with both critics and new-coming fans alike, and the band's ongoing live performances since have only grown to be stellar and unforgettable. So why has it taken three years for the band to release an engaging follow-up release? Because Royal Thunder are a band who simply take their time-and that, essentially, is why 2015's Crooked Doors (an album title reportedly conjured up as a sort of on-the-road joke by all four band members) is as strong and impressive as its predecessor.

It would be slightly insulting to say that Mlny Parsonz is the stand-out attraction of Royal Thunder. Yet upon first impressions, male or female, it's hard not to consider her as the leading force. And it's harder still when you consider the fact that her vocal delivery is really quite versatile and, well, ballsy, for want of a better description. So, the begging question is, does Royal Thunder thoroughly depend on Mlny Parsonz's input? Yes, of course it does, but no more than that of the other three members of the band. For that reason alone, you can tell that Crooked Doors was a really fun album to make, most of all for the band than anyone else. It's almost as if, most obviously on songs like the tense opener "Time Machine" or "Glow", Parsonz tried her best not to overdo the vocal work. As a result, everything seems fresh and alive, naturally performed as if in a live setting before a few thousand salivating fans hungering for more. That's the first impression one gets with every song: A sense that you know there's even better to come.

With all that said, Crooked Doors can be hard for some people to get into-particularly those who are after rawer, heavier music. Those sort of music fans will find it hard to get hooked on the likes of the two-part closing opus "The Bear" and "Forgive Me, Karma" amongst others. Yet as a result, we're only reminded that this is the sort of album which can be pleasing to almost everyone. Fans of more straightforward rock/metal will find at least half of Crooked Doors somewhat infectious, lovers of sludge metal will find passing resemblances in "Time Machine" and "The Line", and even those who like their bands to dabble in experimentation will undoubtedly find the closing two-part "The Bear" to be a progressively pleasant experience. Even "Ear on the Fool" gives a slight nod to the more elegant side of post-rock, but strangely enough, this never begins to tire the listener either. The rhythm section is thus the right drive to really engage and explode when it needs to, and then lie back and relax as Parsons' smoky vocal delivery haunts the recording.

Speaking of which, Parsonz's vocal delivery is one of the stand-out aspects of the album itself, contrary to what more critical folks may be thinking. Mostly, you get the sense that Mlny Parsonz is at home with what she does. She never seems nervous, agitated or even bored with herself, and that's just the thing which makes Crooked Doors more exciting than it is. With the rhythm section, she can really hit the high notes whenever needed, as displayed confidently on "Forget You" and "One Day", but more importantly Parsonz never seems to overdo it either. Parsonz is also a bassist, but she is constantly surrounded by the ongoing support of her other three bandmates: Josh Weaver, Jesse Stuber and Evan Diprima. Sometimes, in order for a vocalist to truly achieve their ambitious musical goals, they have to be in their element, at peace with what is going on around them: Crooked Doors is a true example of this. But does it ever take away from the instrumental performance? Sometimes, of course. Yet this is but inevitable when you consider Royal Thunder's second album as a whole. It is a team effort, not merely four band members playing their own respective instruments.

Whenever you think the album is going to get repetitive or stale, it doesn't, and that's basically the hard-hitting point. Royal Thunder aren't predictable, but nor are they alienating. Sure, a few songs may eventually outstay their welcome ("Time Machine", "Wake Up") with lengthy musical pieces, but it's merely testament to what the band can confidently do as a collective. For that reason, Crooked Doors showcases proof of a band with ongoing musical ambition and consistency. It is the perfect follow-up to an already impressive debut effort, but more importantly, the work of a band currently fully confident with what they are doing.



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user ratings (150)
3.7
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
linguist2011
April 14th 2015


2656 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

The album stream I believe is already up, but you can also check out the album on Youtube here:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3qnvj3XuLs



c/c is welcome, I feel like this review still needs a bit of work, but here it is for now.

Mewcopa0
April 14th 2015


1880 Comments


I was pretty underwhelmed with my first listen through, but I'll have to do another few listens.

Scrambled
April 14th 2015


394 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Great record

linguist2011
April 14th 2015


2656 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Mewcopa0-Some songs left me feeling a little underwhelmed the first time through, but those same songs grew on me. As a whole, I think the album works really well though.

manosg
Emeritus
April 14th 2015


12710 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Sweet review Robert. I have listened to the album a couple of times but I'm not a big fan. Maybe it's because I'm not very impressed with Mlny Parsonz's voice even though her delivery is passionate. I also find the album a bit long.

SharkTooth
April 14th 2015


14937 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Agree with manos, this album is a bit too long for its own good(and the bonus track version is WAAY to long.)

PappyMason
April 14th 2015


5702 Comments


Good review.

WatchItExplode
April 14th 2015


10531 Comments


This chick can wail. Unfortunately the album is overlong and bland rock by numbers.

Lowder91bird
April 14th 2015


613 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great Review. I really enjoyed the album.

wwf
April 14th 2015


7198 Comments


does this sound really similar to cvi?

linguist2011
April 14th 2015


2656 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks guys. I find that the album's only real flaw is that some songs (at least half the album in fact) are a bit too long for their own good, but I personally don't think that's enough to drag the rating down anymore than it is after weighing the pros and cons.



"does this sound really similar to cvi?"



I'd say the same musical ideas are there, but this album seems a little more versatile in comparison.

Mongi123
April 14th 2015


22108 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Nice review man. Jamming this now it's pretty solid. It's a fun album and she can really belt shit out.

SharkTooth
April 14th 2015


14937 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

btw you can stream the whole thing on Bandcamp



https://royalthunder.bandcamp.com/

hogan900
April 14th 2015


3332 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Really fun album, listen to the new CHON album yet?

wwf
April 15th 2015


7198 Comments


'I'd say the same musical ideas are there, but this album seems a little more versatile in comparison.'

that's pretty much what I wanted to hear, will probably check it out

TooLateToGoBack
April 15th 2015


2108 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Vocals are absolutely killer.

piroga84
April 15th 2015


366 Comments


time machine is the song of the year

Wizard
April 16th 2015


20571 Comments


This is a perfect example of why Relapse Records isn't up to snuff anymore.

misaelN04H
April 16th 2015


20 Comments


^^^ their releases so far this year have been boring, but Gruesome and Maruta are shaping up to be good ones

Dunpeal
April 17th 2015


4454 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

if more of the songs were like time machine this would be really great. i want to enjoy this, but it feels like such a chore to get to the end



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